Page 9 of The Almost One

“Fuckinglikeit? It’s amazing. I’m so proud of you, Riv.” Grabbing my shoulder, he pulls me to him in a side hug as we survey my new kingdom.

I don’t need his approval, but it’s always a nice feeling when someone you care about has this kind of reaction to something you’ve worked hard for.

“Yeah, me too.” I push him away playfully and he holds his arm as if I’ve just punched him, faking a moan of pain before we both laugh.

“Hey, Riv, I’ve got something I need to tell you.” His face is suddenly serious again, those honey orbs holding me in place in anticipation.

“Okay…” I rest my ass against one of the round tables, my hands to either side of me as I wait for him to speak. Whatever it is isn’t going to be easy for him to say, I can tell by the way he runs his fingers over his hair and rearranges his man bun.

“I wanna start by saying, I’m not trying to stir anything. This isn’t me trying to do anything other than be your best friend.”

“Spit it out, Kai.” My voice is calm, and he knows me well enough to know that I think the build-up is almost worse than the actual thing.

“You know I’m working on that new restaurant. Well, it’s practically opposite your husband’s hotel.” He takes a deep breath. “I saw a red-haired woman getting into an Aston Martin with your husband.”

Jealousy isn’t an emotion I’m familiar with, and I don’t doubt Marco’s intentions, but this bitch is getting on my last fucking nerve.

Elizabeth Ambrosio.

She’s been a constant thorn in my side since she showed up a week ago. Apparently, her family has business dealings she’s taking care of here in New York and Marco is the only one who can possibly help. After introducing herself to me as his fiancé, I refuse to make time for the woman. It was a total cunt move and she knew what she was doing. I don’t have time for people like that. Though, I suppose it has given me something else to focus my mind on… other than, ya know, being a murderer.

If my heart was dark enough, I’d be all over sending Elizabeth to the bottom of the ocean, but that’s not who I am and last time I checked, lust isn’t a punishable offense. I still have enough light left inside me to know that would probably send me over the edge right alongside her.

Schooling my features to hide my semi-murderous thoughts, I give a tight smile. “Yeah, I know who that is. Nothing to worry about, Kai. Though, I appreciate the heads up.”

“Heads up to what?” That deep rumble is unmistakable, and I immediately push my thighs together for a little friction as Marco barges through the double doors at the main entrance, closely followed by a frowning Mimi, the head of my Rapture security team—she’s almost like my own personal Enzo, only not as grumpy.

The artificial lighting in here only enhances the gloriousness that is Marco Mancini, his black shirt sleeves rolled up, showing off those porn-worthy forearms and the bulging biceps begging to be released. Dark hair styled in a perfect mess falling into his steel-gray eyes, which are currently piercing through me.

Kai’s face drops even more, disappointment and defeat clear in his features. “I’m gonna go, Riv. But I’m working in the city for a couple months. Let’s do a movie night sometime, yeah?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely. But you don’t have to go.”

“I’ve gotta get back to the crew anyway. See ya around, Psyche.”

I stand as he leans in to hug me goodbye and I hear a growl from my left.

“Marco.” Pulling away, Kai does that weird head-nod thing guys do as he says Marco’s name.

“Kai.” The head-nod is returned as Marco slides a possessive arm around my shoulders.

Turning, Kai heads toward the main entrance doors, where Mimi waves a hand in my direction to let me know she’ll see him out.

Before he’s even disappeared, Marco grasps the back of my head with one hand, my waist with the other, and slams his lips against mine. Without hesitation, I open up for him, the throbbing between my legs from his presence already making me aware of how wet I am.

I swear, I used to be the queen of restraint…

And this is just one reason that Marco is an asshole.

He keeps hold of my waist as he pulls away, looking down into my eyes and capturing my full attention with his serious expression.

What is it with these men and being so sullen today?

“What the fuck was Kai doing here, Tesoro?”

Oh no, he didn’t!

“Don’t give me that crap. I could ask the same to you.” I raise an eyebrow in defiance at his gall.

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